Article of clothing providing increased air circulation

ABSTRACT

The article of clothing providing increased air circulation is a garment to which numerous panels are attached. In some embodiments the article of clothing is made from a wide gauge mesh material having modesty panels incorporated therein, or a liner beneath the mesh material. In other embodiments, the article of clothing is formed from a plurality of straps joined together to form a garment framework having first strips of hook and loop material attached to the outward facing surface of the straps, and a plurality of fabric panels having mating second strips of hook and loop material affixed to the peripheral border of the inward facing surface of the panels, so that panels can be added or removed as desired. In another embodiment, the article of clothing is formed from a garment body having strips of wide gauge mesh material defining openings in the garment at desired locations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/304,027, filed on Nov. 26, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to clothing and apparel, andparticularly to garments providing increased air circulation due toremovable panels or mesh fabric.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is generally recognized that optimum personal health is bestmaintained by avoiding temperature extremes, among other factors. Thiscan be difficult in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, andeven in more temperate climates during the summer months. One of themajor problems in such war weather is the evaporation of perspirationduring and after exertion. The moisture remaining on the body due toperspiration after exertion provides an ideal environment for variousmicroorganisms which can lead to odors, skin rashes and otherirritations and diseases, etc.

It is of course conventional, where custom permits and the wearer iscomfortable with the clothing, to wear relatively few and/or abbreviatedgarments when exercising, swimming, etc. This results in a minimalamount of fabric to absorb moisture, thereby allowing perspiration ormoisture on the wearer's body to evaporate more readily, and minimizingthe above noted problems. However, the relatively close weave of thegenerally opaque fabrics used for such apparel, and the lack ofabsorbency of stretch synthetic materials which are commonly used insuch apparel, generally make it difficult for perspiration and moistureto evaporate from the body of the person wearing such apparel,particularly in those areas covered by the apparel.

This can be uncomfortable at best, and may lead to various undesirableconditions, such as odors, skin rashes, etc., as noted further above.While these conditions may be more readily encountered during heavyexertion and/or in water sports or activities, the difficulty inachieving the evaporation of perspiration may be encountered in otherenvironments as well. This is particularly true in tropical climes wherehigh heat and humidity are common, so that a person wearing conventionalstreet attire cannot rid himself or herself of perspiration buildup dueto the lack of evaporation caused by the high humidity.

The present invention responds to this problem by providing a number ofdifferent configurations or embodiments of apparel that provide forincreased air circulation over the body of the person wearing theapparel. The present apparel may be configured for wear as men's' orwomen's' undergarments. A discussion of the related art of which thepresent inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from thepresent invention, is provided below.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,840,937, issued on Jan. 12, 1932 to Ewen C. Duff, titled“Apparel Garment,” describes a combination girdle and brassiere garment,with the two components being joined only by a single front panel thatextends over the stomach and midriff of the wearer. The front panel isdescribed as being formed of a stretch material, but the weave issufficiently fine (i.e., “glovesilk,” per column 2, line 78 of thedisclosure) that it is essentially opaque and does not provide the“breathability” or open mesh configuration of the present invention, toallow good air circulation. In fact, the form retaining characteristicsof at least the girdle portion of the Duff garment teach away from anyrelatively open mesh or net construction, due to the requirement forincreased support.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,911,227, issued on May 30, 1933 to James J. Galligan etal., titled “Crinkled Rubber Bathing Suit,” describes a women's swimsuitthat is formed of a rubberized material, as the title of the Galligan etal. U.S. Patent indicates. The Galligan et al. material comprises twofinely ribbed plies of thin rubber sheet material laminated together.The use of such material teaches away from the present invention, assuch rubberized material does not allow the skin beneath the material tobreathe, nor does it allow moisture to evaporate from the body wherecovered by such material.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,249,198, issued on Jul. 15, 1941 to Horace A. Carter,titled “Garment Construction,” describes the construction of anundergarment formed of a tubular knit fabric material. The knit materialis formed of both elastic and inelastic yarns, with the elastic yarnsrunning in a straight pattern about the fabric and the inelastic yarnsbeing knitted together to provide resilience, as is conventional in suchfabrics. The knit weave of the Carter material is relatively fine, as isevidenced from the garment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of thedisclosure. No widely spaced net mesh nor optional removable orpermanent inner liner are disclosed by Carter in his garmentconstruction.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,250,506, issued on Jul. 29, 1941 to Paul Snyder, titled“Undergarment,” describes the construction of a pair of undershorts orbriefs. The undergarment appears to be intended as men's wear, butSnyder does not make this clear in his disclosure. The Snyderundergarment is constructed of a series of relatively finely wovenfabric panels, and includes various elastic panels therein to allow thestructure to give when the wearer bends and moves. No relatively openmesh or large scale gauge net material is disclosed by Snyder in hisundergarment construction, nor is any means of using such anundergarment as outerwear (swimwear, etc.) by means of appropriatemodesty panels or inner liners, as provided by various embodiments ofthe present clothing articles.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,333,589, issued on Aug. 1, 1967 to Albert M. Cohen etal., titled “Swim Garment With Built-In Control Support,” describesconventional loose fitting, boxer type swim trunks incorporating a formfitting inner liner permanently installed within the shorts or trunks.Cohen et al. describe the front and back panels of the liner material asbeing of “power net construction” (col. 2, lines 32-33), but theillustration of this material in FIG. 3 of the Cohen et al. U.S. Patentis of a non-woven latticework pattern, rather than being a woven or knitmaterial. In any event, the Cohen et al. suit construction teaches awayfrom the configuration of the present garments, in that Cohen et al.provide an outer garment formed of a relatively tightly woven fabricmaterial, rather than forming the outer garment of an open mesh or widegauge net material, as in the present garments.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,479,844, issued on Nov. 25, 1969 to Andre H. Silvain,titled “Form-Fitting Seamless Garment And Method,” describes variousembodiments of a women's undergarment that may cover substantially theentire torso, or only the area between waist and thighs. The lowerportion of the garment is formed of a tightly knit yarn, and is intendedto provide control in the manner of a girdle or the like. Silvain doesnot disclose the use of a widely spaced mesh or net material for hisgarment construction, and in fact such material would not be suitablefor the purposes of the Silvain undergarment, with its function as acontrol garment or girdle.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,106, issued on Jan. 19, 1971 to Leonard A. Rosner,titled “Combination Undergarment,” describes an upper brassiere andlower slip or girdle, with the upper and lower garments being joinedpartially about their mutual circumferences. They are separated from oneanother at the back, allowing the brassiere portion to be adjusted asdesired, and facilitating donning the undergarment. Rosner is silentregarding the specific fabrics used, but the drawings appear to show aconventional finely woven fabric material for all portions of theundergarment. Such material does not provide the ventilation and“breathability” of the widely spaced mesh or net material of which thepresent articles of clothing are formed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,895, issued on Oct. 16, 1984 to Masaru Shibusawa,titled “Short Girdle,” describes a specific construction for a generallypanty-configured undergarment formed of closely woven resilientmaterials that provide control for the wearer. As noted above, thismaterial does not provide the ventilation of a relatively open mesh ornet material. No disclosure is made of any form of widely spaced mesh ornet material for the construction of the Shibusawa garment.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,769, issued on May 1, 1990 to Peter Rickerl, titled“Warp Knitted V-Shaped Briefs,” describes the construction of a high-cutpattern or design, particularly for women's underwear. The material usedis relatively finely knit, in comparison to the relatively large gauge,open mesh net of which the present garments are formed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,140, issued on Jan. 8, 1991 to Richard Gimble,titled “Backless, Strapless Ladies' Body Briefer,” describes a woman'sundergarment in which the required rigidity for the garment is providedby a series of bones or stays installed therein. Such constructionteaches away from the flaccid, wide mesh net material of which thepresent garments are constructed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,957, issued on Jun. 18, 1991 to Mary A. Harvey,titled “Panty Hose For Wearing Under An Abbreviated Outer Garment,”describes a panty hose combination having a relatively low waistline andnarrow crotch, so as to conceal the waistline and crotch beneath aG-string or similar abbreviated garment. The construction of panty hose,wherein the fabric material extends completely down the legs of thewearer, teaches away from the present articles of apparel, which teachthat it is desirable to reduce the amount of fabric in contact with thewearer's body in order to provide optimum ventilation and aircirculation. The relatively fine mesh weave of the Harvey panty hosematerial, does not provide this benefit.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,264, issued on Jun. 9, 1992 to Pearl E. Van Engel,titled “Women's Bra And Panty Underwear,” describes a combinationgarment which is formed “of denier 30” (col. 2, line 27) or “alightweight denier 10 knit/mesh fabric” (col. 2, line 32). Such yarn isused for nylon stockings and the like, and is much too light to providethe required structural strength of the relatively wide gauge net ofwhich the present garments are constructed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,092, issued on Sep. 1, 1992 to Vivian D. Flowers,titled “Flexible Abdominal Flattener,” describes a relatively wide andflat band of material that extends around the waist and hips, with asecond similar band of material extending from front to back through thecrotch. The material is a woven elastic webbing (per the abstract) thatis relatively heavy and thick in comparison to conventional clothingfabrics. Such material does not provide the desired ventilation and aircirculation provided by the wide mesh net material of which the presentarticles of apparel are constructed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,706, issued on Aug. 24, 1993 to Robert M.Nalbandian, titled “Male Garment With Scrotal Pouch,” describes a maleundergarment which loosely resembles the conventional athleticsupporter, but which includes a genitalia pocket defined by two panels.The material of which the Nalbandian undergarment is formed comprisesrelatively narrow bands. As such, they must be formed of relativelyclosely woven material in order to provide the required strength.Nalbandian does not disclose the use of a relatively large gauge or widemesh material for his undergarment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,511, issued on Nov. 15, 1994 to Christine G. Brewer,titled “Panties And A Method Of Fabricating The Same,” describes pantyconstruction wherein the front panel is relatively narrow, and istwisted across the front. The crotch panel extends from the conventionalback to join the narrow twisted front panel. Brewer is silent as to thematerial used, but no wide mesh net material is apparent in thedisclosure.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,775, issued on Jun. 25, 1996 to Madonna A. Marenda,titled “Women's Abdominal Support Garment,” describes an undergarmenthaving an elastic control panel with a waistband disposed over the upperportion of the control panel.

This construction, as well as the control panel itself, comprises alaminated composite of two sheets or layers of closely woven fabricmaterial. Such construction teaches away from the wide gauge netmaterial of which the apparel of the present invention is constructed,with its ability to allow greater air circulation and ventilation forthe body of the wearer.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,880, issued on Jun. 12, 2001 to Robert M. Lyden,titled “Athletic Shorts,” describes an undergarment construction forwear by male or female athletes, beneath conventional athletic shorts orthe like. While the construction differs between the two types ofgarments due to the anatomical differences between male and femalewearers, the material remains the same for both types, i.e., resilientor non-stretch natural or synthetic fibers, spandex, etc., as describedin column 7, lines 11-49. All of the materials of this relativelyexhaustive list, comprise relatively fine weaves which do not providethe air circulation and ventilation of the relatively large gauge meshor net of which the present articles of clothing are constructed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,511, issued on Jul. 24, 2001 to Mario P. Moretti,titled “Breathable Garment To Be Worn To Improve The Comfort Of TheHuman Body,” describes a relatively heavy, multiple layer outer garmentwhich provides thermal insulation for the wearer. While the Morettigarment includes means for air circulation and ventilation, it teachesaway from the wide gauge mesh net material of which the present garmentsare made. The Moretti garment is not suitable for wear in hot and humidconditions, as are the present articles of clothing.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,250, issued on Jun. 11, 2002 to Mark J. McNabb,titled “Ventilated Athletic Support Garment,” describes a garment formedprimarily of spandex material or the like, with a ventilated crotchgusset. The crotch gusset is formed of “an open mesh” (col. 4, line 12),but McNabb continues by stating that “The mesh is formed with between 75and 125 openings per square inch in the relaxed state,” (col. 4, line18-19), with a lesser number when the fabric is stretched. Moreover,McNabb states that the fabric material that he uses has “between about55 and 75 threads per square inch” (col. 4, line 21). This does not atall compare with the {fraction (3/4)} inch to two inch gauge of the netmaterial of which the present garments ar formed.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/92,084, published on Jul. 18, 2002,titled “Clothing Waist Portion Structure,” describes multiple ply,absorbent waistband for installation in conventional garments. Thematerial is closely woven, and does not compare with the wide gauge netof the present garments.

French Patent Publication No. 2,653,976, published on May 10, 1991 toClaude Vernay, titled “Undergarment Which Is Unrolled,” describes(according to the drawings and English abstract) a device for assistingin fitting an undergarment, by unrolling the undergarment from a rolledstate. A separate strip surrounds the top of the body, to which athree-piece article (slip, pant, etc.) is attached. No disclosure ismade of any specific type of fabric material for the assembly, and nowide gauge net or mesh material is apparent.

Finally, British Patent Publication No. 2,366,988, published on Mar. 27,2002 to Paul Brady, titled “Male Undergarment,” describes a pair ofbriefs or shorts having short leg lengths, but also including a frontalpouch for the male genitalia. The external appearance is much like thatof the athletic shorts of the Lyden '880 U.S. Patent, discussed furtherabove. As in the case of the Lyden shorts and other shorts, briefs, andgarments discussed further above, the undergarment of the Brady '988British Patent Publication is constructed of a relatively finely wovenelastic fabric material. Such material cannot provide the ventilationand air circulation provided by the relatively large gauge mesh or netmaterial of which the present articles of apparel are constructed.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or incombination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thusarticles of clothing providing increased air circulation solving theaforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a series of different embodiments ofclothing or articles of apparel formed of a relatively wide gauge meshor net material, and providing increased air circulation adjacent to thebody of the wearer. The present clothing is particularly suitable forwear in very warm and humid climates, and allows perspiration toevaporate from the wearer much more readily than conventional clothing.

The present apparel may be constructed as underwear or outerwear forboth men and women, as desired. Panels of more finely woven fabric maybe installed in certain critical areas (i.e., male genitalia and women'sbreast areas) for support in the case of underwear, and/or as modestypanels where the present garments are constructed as outerwear(swimsuits, athletic and dance wear, etc.). Alternatively, inner linersof a thin, but opaque, finely woven fabric may be removably orpermanently installed within the present garments when worn as outerwear, to provide the coverage required by convention and law in mostareas. The liners may be provided in a wide range of different colors,in order to match the skin tones of purchasers or wearers, or tocontrast with those skin tones and/or with the color of the net or meshof the apparel, as desired. Also, different gauges of mesh or netmaterial may be combined in different areas of the same garment, and/ordecorative panels or openings having different shapes than the meshpattern used for the majority of the garment may be formed in theapparel, as desired.

In an alternate embodiment, the article of clothing is formed from aframe and panels of material removably attached to the frame by hook andloop fastening material. In one embodiment, the garment is a pair ofshorts or underwear to which numerous leg panels are attached. A crotchpanel may additionally be affixed to the shorts or underwear. The frameof the shorts or underwear is lined with a first hook and loop fasteningmaterial, and the leg and crotch panels having mating strips of hook andloop fastening material about their border on the panels' interiorsurfaces. The leg and crotch panels may therefore be held to the frameof the shorts or underwear by joining the first and second hook and loopfastening materials.

The leg or crotch panels may be removed in case of injury or merely toprovide greater air circulation. One or all of the panels may beremoved. Entertainers may remove the panels as part of theirperformance. The crotch panel may be removed to provide easy access fora wearer to use the restroom.

In a further embodiment, the article of clothing is a brassiere. The brahas bra cup frames, which are lined with a first hook and loop fasteningmaterial, and bra cups, which have a mating second strip of hook andloop fastening material about the periphery of their interior surfaces.The bra cups may be attached to the bra cup frames by joining the firstand second hook and loop fastening materials to each other.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide aseries of embodiments of articles of clothing formed of a wide mesh netfabric material, and providing increased air circulation adjacent thebody of the wearer.

It is another object of the invention to provide a garment that allowsfor easy removal of various panels for increased air circulation or easyaccess to injured body parts.

It is another object of the invention to provide such articles ofapparel constructed for both men and women, and which may be adapted ormodified for use as underwear or as outerwear.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such clothing toinclude one or more panels of finely woven opaque fabric material atcritical areas thereof, to provide additional support where requiredand/or to serve as modesty panels where the present apparel is worn asouterwear.

Still another object of the invention is to provide removable orpermanently installed liners for the present apparel, with the linersbeing formed of thin, but opaque, finely woven fabric to providecoverage as required when the present apparel is worn as outerwear.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive,dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of both a man's and a woman'sswimwear formed of a wide gauge net material and providing increased aircirculation according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the man's and woman's swimwear ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another garment embodiment ofthe present invention, suitable for wear as trunks or pants by a man orwoman, showing the addition of a liner thereto.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a one-piece woman's garment,showing the addition of a liner thereto.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an abbreviated top or bra portion oftwo-piece woman's apparel according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an abbreviated bottom or pants portionof two-piece woman's apparel according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a woman's full brassiere embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are environmental front, rear and side views of apair of pants according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a pair of shorts according toanother embodiment of the present invention having a frame anddetachable panels.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a pair of shorts similar toFIG. 9 with the addition of a removable crotch panel.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a brassier embodiment of thepresent invention having a frame and detachable bra cups.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises a series of embodiments of articles ofclothing formed of a relatively wide gauge or open mesh netconstruction, to provide superior ventilation and air circulationadjacent the body of the wearer. The present articles of clothing may beconstructed in men's or women's fashions and styles, as single ormultiple piece garments, and/or for use as outerwear (e.g., swimwear,athletic wear, etc.), underwear, or sleepwear. A modesty and/or supportpanel(s) may be removably or permanently installed with the presentarticles of apparel, where required for public use as outerwear and/orto provide support to certain areas of the body, as needed.

FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings respectively provide front and rearperspective views of first embodiments of the present apparel,illustrating its adaption as men's outerwear and women's outerwear. Themen's outerwear garment 10, illustrated on the left in FIG. 1 and on theright in FIG. 2, comprises a pair of closely fitting swimming trunks orthe like, with the majority of the garment being formed of a relativelywide gauge net or mesh fabric material 12. A number of different fabricsmay be used to form any of the embodiments of the present article ofapparel, including natural fibers (cotton, etc.) and synthetic fibers(nylon, etc.), and/or a blend of the two. Both non-elastic and elastic(spandex, etc.) materials may be used in the construction of the variousembodiments of the present apparel, either exclusively or in combinationwith one another, as desired.

While various knit fabrics have been used in the past in theconstruction and fabrication of garments and apparel, the knit materialsused have always been of a relatively small or fine gauge or weave, tothe knowledge of the present inventor. The present invention departsfrom this convention, by constructing the various articles of apparel ofa relatively wide or open mesh or net material, having an appearancesimilar to that of a conventional hammock, or perhaps a tennis net orthe like. Such net materials have a relatively open mesh or netstructure, which provides transparency for all practical purposes. Thepresent articles of apparel have a similar construction, using a gaugehaving openings on the order of between three quarters of an inchminimum and two inches maximum, between adjacent parallel strands orcords.

This considerably wider or greater gauge of the net or mesh material ofthe present invention than has been used in prior art garments in thepast provides numerous advantages in comfort for the wearer thereof. Invery warm and humid climates, any perspiration or other moistureaccumulating on the body does not readily evaporate when conventionalclothing having a relatively tight weave, is worn. While abbreviatedswimwear is intended to provide freedom of movement for the wearer andavoid the weight and discomfort associated with wet garments, therelatively closely woven fabrics, of which such swimwear isconventionally constructed, still result in the same problem of thedifficulty of evaporation of moisture from the suit or swimwear afterswimming. This is particularly a problem for women's single pieceswimsuits.

The present articles of apparel minimize this problem, by minimizing thefabric material used in the construction of the apparel. Where thepresent apparel is used as outerwear in public, additional modestypanels, e.g., the front panel 14 of the men's swimming trunks 10 of FIG.1, may be added to conceal the genital and/or other areas as requiredaccording to local standards, custom, and law. These modesty panels 14may also serve as support panels for certain portions of the body whererequired or desired, in order to retain more flaccid portions of theanatomy (e.g., men's genitalia and women's breasts) where desired. Themodesty and support panel 14 of the men's outerwear 10 of FIG. 1 maycomprise a front panel, as shown, with a separate rear panel 16 coveringand concealing the perianal area, generally as shown in FIG. 2 of thedrawings.

These modesty and support panels 14 and 16 are formed of relativelysmall panels of a relatively closely woven, opaque fabric material forsupport and concealment, and may comprise separate panels sewn togetherat the crotch area, or may be cut from a single sheet of material, asdesired. The modesty and support panels 14 and 16 may be sewn into acorresponding open area within the net or mesh 12 of the garment 10, oralternatively the net or mesh 12 may be constructed as a completegarment covering the pubic area when worn, with the modesty and supportpanels 14 and 16 sewn or otherwise secured either inside or outside thenet or mesh material 12, as desired.

The women's outerwear garment 18 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed ofessentially identical material 12 to that used for the men's swimsuit 10shown in the same drawing Figs. The outerwear or swimsuit 18 of FIGS. 1and 2 comprises a one-piece suit, extending upwardly from the upperthighs or hips to above the chest or breasts, and supported at the topby shoulder straps. The women's suit 18 may also include a series ofmodesty panels formed of essentially the same type of relatively finelywoven, opaque fabric material from which the modesty and supportpanel(s) 14 and/or 16 of the men's suit 10 is or are formed. The women'ssuit 18 may include a lower front modesty panel 20, a correspondinglower rear panel 22 (FIG. 2) formed with the front panel 20 as a singlepiece or formed separately and attached thereto, and a pair of breastpanels 24 and 26. The breast panels illustrated for the women's swimwear18 of FIG. 1 are relatively small, and only serve to conceal the nipplesof the breasts. These panels 24 and 26 may be enlarged to cover agreater area, where the wearer deems it desirable and/or where suchadditional coverage may be required.

It will be noted that in the two embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2, no specific seams are illustrated. Each of the present articles ofapparel may be constructed as a single, continuous net structure, if sodesired, with the only seams being along areas where any modesty panelsare attached to the net structure. Alternatively, the apparel may beconstructed conventionally of front and rear panels sewn together alonglateral seams, if so desired.

FIG. 3 provides an exploded view of another embodiment of the presentinvention, comprising a pair of shorts, trunks, or panties 28. Thegarment 28 is constructed or formed of the same type of widely spacedmesh or net material 12 as the other embodiments of the presentinvention, e.g., the swimwear 10 an 18 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Awaistband 30 and leg bands 32 and 34 may be installed about theperipheries of the garment 28, to provide a more conventional fit forthe closely fitting garment 28 and to stabilize the open net edges ofthe material 12 of which the garment 28 is constructed. Similar bands,not specifically indicated, may be installed about the peripheralopenings in the swimwear garments 10 and 18 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and othergarments constructed according to the present invention, as required.

However, the shorts or panties 28 do not include a smaller modesty orsupport panel therewith. Rather, an inner liner 36 is provided for usewith the garment 28 of FIG. 3. The liner 36 is preferably formed offinely woven, opaque fabric material to provide concealment. The liner36 is congruent with the garment 28, with a waistband 38 and left andright leg openings 40 and 42, so that it does not extend beyond thewaistband 30 and leg openings 32 and 34 of the garment 28. The liner 36may be installed separately within the garment 28, i.e., donned beforedonning the garment 28. Alternatively, the liner 36 may beconventionally sewn or otherwise permanently installed within the shortsor panties 28 by securing the waistbands 30, 38, and the respective legopenings 32, 40 and 34, 42 of the two components 28 and 36 together.

The shorts, trunks, or panties 28 of FIG. 3, perhaps with their liner36, are suitable for wear by both men and women, perhaps with somerelatively minor tailoring for fit. However, women's garments requiresome form of support and/or coverage for the breasts. The women'sgarment 44 of FIG. 4 comprises a one-piece suit that provides suchcoverage. The women's garment 44 of FIG. 4 is a one piece suit,extending upwardly from the upper thighs or hips to above the chest orbreasts, and supported at the top by shoulder straps, generally alongthe lines of the women's outerwear or swimsuit 18 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

However, the garment 44 of FIG. 4 does not include any smaller modestyor support panel(s) therewith, as it is suitable for use as anundergarment, sleepwear, etc., as desired. Rather, an inner liner 46 isprovided for the women's garment 44 of FIG. 4. The use of such a liner46 with the otherwise open mesh of the suit 44, may allow such a garment44 to be worn as beachwear or other public wear, if desired. The liner46 may be formed of the same general type of closely woven, opaquematerial used for the liners and modesty panels of other embodiments.The liner 46 is congruent with the garment 44 in order to fit properlytherein, and does not extend beyond the waistband and leg openings ofthe garment 44. The liner 46 may be installed separately within thegarment 44, i.e., donned before donning the garment 44. Alternatively,the liner 46 may be conventionally sewn or otherwise permanentlyinstalled within the garment 44 by securing the waistband and respectiveleg openings of the two components 44 and 46 together.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a further embodiment of women's wear,comprising a bra portion 48 (FIG. 5) and lower garment 50 (FIG. 6). Asin the case of the shorts or trunks 28 of FIG. 3, no modesty and/orsupport panel(s) is/are integrated with the bra 48 and shorts or panties50 of FIGS. 5 and 6. However, a liner may be provided for the shorts orpanties 50, somewhat on the order of the liner 36 provided for theshorts or panties 28 of the embodiment of FIG. 3. Similar liner materialmay also be provided for the cups of the bra 48, if so desired. It willbe noted that the shorts or panties 50 of FIG. 6 differ somewhat fromthe comparable garment 28 illustrated in FIG. 3, with the garment 50 ofFIG. 6 being cut somewhat lower, i.e., with a shorter distance betweenthe waistband 52 and the two leg openings 54 and 56, as in a “bikini”style garment. The bra portion 48 of FIG. 5 is also minimized, with arelatively thin back strap 58 and shoulder straps 60 and 62.

FIG. 7 illustrates another bra embodiment 64, with the bra 64 of FIG. 7providing some additional support in comparison to the bra 48 of FIG. 5.The bra 64 of FIG. 7 includes a relatively wide front panel or band 66,which continues about the garment to a wide back panel 68. Both thefront and back panels 66 and 68, as well as the cups 70 and 72, areformed of a relatively wide gauge mesh material 12, in keeping with thetheme of the present invention disclosed herein. While the shoulderstraps 74 and 76 are shown as relatively thin straps, it will be seenthat they may also be formed of the same mesh material as the rest ofthe garment, if so desired.

The bra 64 of FIG. 7 may serve as an undergarment providing relativelygood support, for use when jogging or during other relatively strenuousathletic activities. The bra 64 may also serve as outerwear, withappropriate modesty panels installed. Such modesty panels are shown asrelatively small panels 78 and 80, covering and concealing only thenipples of the breasts for the bra 64. However, they may be formed tocover a larger area, if so desired.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show another embodiment of the articles of clothingthat provides increased air circulation. FIG. 8A shows a front view of apair of pants 80 made of a solid material, such as spandex or cotton.The pants 80 have a layer of wide gauge net or mesh fabric material 82sewn into the waist portion of the pants 80. The mesh material 82 allowsfor air to circulate within the pants 80. FIG. 8B shows a rear view ofthe pants 80 with several strips of the mesh material 82 sewn int thepants 80. The mesh material 82 is sewn into the pant around the waist,on the hips and on the undersides of the knees, all providing increasedair circulation. FIG. 8C shows side view of the pants 80. The meshmaterial 82 is sewn around the waist and down the sides of the pants 80.

Although FIGS. 8A 8B and 8C show the garment comprising pair of pants,it will be understood that the article of clothing may comprise men's'shirts, blouses, jackets, or any other type of garment, whetherouterwear or underwear, and that the mesh openings for air circulationmay be placed in any desired location, and may be either symmetricallyor symmetrically disposed on any given side of the garment. It willfurther be understood that the garment may be made from any desiredmaterial, whether elastic (including spandex or blend thereof as used insportswear) or inelastic, natural (including leather) or synthetic,woven or nonwoven, etc.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of a pair of shorts or trunks90 that includes a frame 92 with removable front 94 and rear 96 panels.The frame 92 of the shorts 90 may be made from numerous materials,chosen to suit the activity in which the user plans to engage. The frame92 may be constructed from clear, soft plastic strips or any othersuitable material forming the basic outline or framework of the waist,leg openings, crotch, and what corresponds to the inseam and outer legseam. The outer surface of the frame 92 of the shorts 90 has strips ofhook and loop fastening material 98 adhered or otherwise securedthereto. The four panels 94 and 96 are adapted to attach to the frame 92of the shorts 90, with the front panels 94 attaching to the front of theshorts 90 and the rear panels 96 attaching to the back of the shorts 90.The two rear panels 96 attached to the back of the shorts 90 areslightly larger than the front panels 96 so that the rear panels 96 maycomfortably accommodate the user's rear. The inner surface of each ofthe panels 94 and 96 have strips of hook and loop fastening materialsecured to their periphery or border that mate with the hook and loopstrips 98 of the frame 92.

The panels 94 and 96 are placed over the frame 92 of the shorts 90, andthe hook and loop fastening material 100 fastens to the hook and loopfastening material 98, securing the panels 94 and 96 to the frame 92 ofthe shorts 90. As the panels 94 and 96 are secured with the hook andloop fastening material 98 and 100, each of the panels 94 and 96 may bepeeled off away from the frame 92 of the shorts 90.

The panels 94 and 96 are made from spandex or any other flexiblematerial suitable for sportswear use.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a pair of men's underwear110. The underwear 110 has a frame 112 with front 114 and rear 116detachable panels. Additionally, a detachable crotch panel 118 isattached to the underwear 110. The underwear 110 is made from cotton orany other material suitable to be used as an undergarment. The front 114and rear 116 detachable panels are designed to affix to the frame 112 ofthe underwear 110. The rear panels 116 are slightly larger than thefront panels 114 in order to accommodate a user's rear. The crotch panel118 is designed to fit over the crotch area of the user.

As in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the outer surface of the frame 112 hasstrips of hook and loop fastening material 120 affixed thereto. Theperipheral border of the inner surfaces of the front 114 and rear 116panels has mating strips of hook and loop fastening material 122attached thereto. The peripheral border of the inner surface of thecrotch panel 118 also has mating strips of hook and loop fasteningmaterial 122 attached thereto. The front 114, rear 116 and crotch 118panels are all placed on the frame 112 of the underwear 110. The hookand loop fastening material 120 on the panels 114, 116, and 118 fastensto the hook and loop fastening material 120 on the frame, attaching thepanels 114, 116, and 118 to the frame 112.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded perspective view of a brassiere 130 withremovable cups 132. The bra 130 has a pair of cup frames 134 anddetachable bra cups 132 removably attach to the frames 134. The bra 130includes a strap 136 that connects the cup frames 134 and is adapted tofit around a user's body. The cups 132 each have a body portion 138 withan open end 140 and a closed end 142 and a lip 144 disposed around theopen end 140 of the body portion 138. The strap 136 may be made from aclear plastic or other transparent material or may be skin-colored.

Strips of hook and loop fastening material 146 are affixed to theoutward-facing surface of the cup frames 134. Mating strips of hook andloop fastening material 148 are attached to the lips 144 of the bra cups132. The bra cups 132 attach onto the bra frames 134 and are held inplace when the hook and loop fastening material 148 mates with hook andloop fastening material 146. The bra cups 132 may therefore be attachedor detached at the user's preference.

The cup frames 134 and the bra cups 132 each have a fastener 150 thatallows the cup frames 134 and the cups 132 to be adjusted to fit variousbreast sizes. The frames 134 and the cups 132 may be tightened orloosened at the user's preference. The strap 136 has a strap fastener152 that allows the strap 136 to be held around the user's body.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. An article of clothing providing increased air circulation for awearer thereof, comprising: a frame having first strips of hook and loopfastening material disposed on an outer surface of the frame; and aplurality of detachable fabric panels attached to the frame, the panelseach having second strips of hook and loop fastening material disposedaround a peripheral border of an inner surface of each panel, the secondstrips of hook and loop fastening material mating with the first hookand loop fastening material to attach the panels to the frame.
 2. Thearticle of clothing according to claim 1, wherein said frame comprises aplurality of foundation strips defining a waist, leg openings, a crotch,and connecting strips corresponding to seams joining the waist, legopenings and crotch, whereby the frame defines a framework for a garmentselected from the group consisting of shorts, panties, and swim trunks.3. The article of clothing according to claim 2, wherein said pluralityof panels comprises front and rear leg panels.
 4. The article ofclothing according to claim 3, wherein said panels are made fromspandex.
 5. The article of clothing according to claim 4, wherein saidplurality of panels further comprises a crotch panel removably attachedto the frame.
 6. The article of clothing according to claim 1, whereinsaid frame comprises: a strap dimensioned and configured for encirclinga torso; fasteners attached to opposing ends of the strap; and a pair ofbra cup frames attached to the strap, the first strips of hook and loopfastening material being attached to the bra cup frames.
 7. The articleof clothing according to claim 6, further comprising means for adjustingthe bra cup frames to a desired size.
 8. The article of clothingaccording to claim 6, wherein said bra cup frames are circular.
 9. Thearticle of clothing according to claim 6, wherein said panels comprise apair of bra cups each of the bra cups having defining an openingdimensioned for receiving a breast into the cups and a lip disposedaround the opening, the second strips of hook and loop material beingaffixed to the lips around the bra cup openings.
 10. An providingincreased air circulation for a wearer thereof, comprising a garmentbody having a wide gauge net fabric material defining a plurality ofopenings within the garment body.
 11. The article of clothing accordingto claim 10, wherein said garment body comprises a pair of pants. 12.The article of clothing according to claim 10, wherein said wide gaugenet fabric material defines openings of between three quarters of aninch and two inches between adjacent parallel strands or cords.
 13. Thearticle of clothing according to claim 10, wherein said garment bodycomprises an outerwear garment.
 14. The article of clothing according toclaim 10, wherein said garment body comprises an underwear garment.